I think much of what Lies said is along my thinking too. I adopted my first "very own" puppy when I was barely 21. In some ways it was like having a baby--no more going somewhere after work--I had to get home to take care of the puppy! My life revolved around the pup, the training, finding housing that would accept him. Sometimes I think about how he was my "practice kid", heh. I felt that since he turned out ok (he was almost 4 when I had my first baby) that my kids would be ok, lmao!

They are different. But my kids come first in life. Having said that, the last year of my life has been mostly devoted to and revolved around the **** pup! But now the kids are old enough to understand and help. We even planned our summer vacation around places we could take him, since I didn't feel he was old enough to leave in someone else's care. When there's an emergency here though, especially concerning one of my kids, he gets let out, water and food and that's it until the crisis is over.

I know a couple who were completely devoted to their dog before they had children. After they had children, the dog was kicked outside and tied up to her doghouse. She became borderline neglected. Now I take care of her.

It's really sad. When they didn't have children, their dog was hit by a car and without hesitation they paid the money for the surgery she needed. Now when she runs away, they don't even look for her. They just assume she'll come back after a while. They even say that if the dog catcher gets her they won't pay the money to get her back. But they have all the money in the world to buy their daughter princess outfits. It's infuriating.

I'm a bit bitter towards people who decrease the level of care they give to their animals after they have children. I get that people obviously love their children more than their pets, but that doesn't mean your love for your pets should decrease.

Nicely put. I.understand that someone's children will always come first, no matter what. But just because you have a greater love for something new doesn't mean you have to forget about the old love and bond you had.

A dog is still a living, breathing creature. And all life is valuable.

You don't forget, but they do suddenly become second, or third depending on family dynamics (kid, husband, dogs) but until you have kids you just can't understand. And I'm sure there are those out there that have young kids and their dogs still mean more and well, frankly, I don't think those people should be parents to human children because nothing should trump that.

My dogs still get better care than most peoples dogs do (normal people, not people on this forum). But they are definitely dogs now, not "fur kids" and I'm totally ok with that. Perhaps in a few years when the kids are a little older and can be more independent, things will get a little better for the dogs in the attention area. Right now though, we have a 2 yr old and another baby on the way, so dogs they will remain for the time being.

All life is valuable, yes. Some life is more valuable. Humans, for example.

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